Teaching in 2020 has been an entirely new experience. Nearly every teacher around the world is learning, adapting, researching and innovating. While it is a heavy time to be an educator, it is also exciting (and scary). As I navigate through this experience, I have found several things that have helped both myself and my students feel successful in this setting. Check out my tips for a successful virtual classroom below.
Disclosure: I am partnering with Verizon. All opinions are my own.
Pandemic Teaching
Twelve years ago today, I finished up my student teaching and graduated with my undergrad in Biology and a teaching certification. I was in college during those bridge years in technology, where computer labs still existed, cell phones were still mainly just for calling and a bit of texting, we were taught to use overhead projectors and Microsoft programs were the very best of applications for teaching. Education then and education now are completely different, yet so much the same.
I love teaching. I can say that through this pandemic, I for sure questioned my career choice and worried that I am just screwing this all up. This is by far the hardest thing I have ever done in my career. I had this idea that I was prepared for this and that as a 1:1 tech-based teacher I would kick this in the tail. Boy, was there a learning curve and just now as we are ending our 2nd semester remote, do I feel like I have a handle on my virtual classroom. I have been sending tech tips and doing screencasts of various virtual tools for my colleagues and I wanted to share some of those tips to help you have a successful virtual classroom.
Tips for a Successful Virtual Classroom
About every 3 weeks or less, I do a check in with my students on their personal needs and feedback for me. My students thankfully are brutally honest, which I feel like is so valuable during this time. They have told me exactly what is working and what is not and after a lot of trial and error, I feel like I am in a great place with my virtual classroom and I wanted to share some tips for a successful virtual classroom.
1. Organization Matters
Every teacher is using some sort of Learning Management Platform (LMS), whether that be Google Classroom, Canvas, Schoology or another option. One of the biggest pieces of feedback my students have given me as a positive is that the organization of my classroom is very easy to navigate.
I name every assignment with the date that we went over it in class and then make sure that I have due dates listed so kids know when things are due. I also color code things and list that in my slideshow to help students locate the assignments easier. For example, I will tell them that we are in the “Blue week 5 folder”
2. Engage Students with Google Slides
Google Slides needs to be interactive. Pear Deck and Nearpod are two apps that teachers have been using to allow students to interact through check-ins and exit slips while giving the teacher data. It can be a bit of set up, but if you can get into a routine of making a quick 2-5 slides per virtual meeting, the kids really enjoy it.
They have told me that they like that they can click, draw, choose answers and ask questions and that I can give them real time feedback. I have had 100% of my 180 students tell me that they like Pear Deck and that says a lot. Pear Deck is a Google Slides add on, but also has a website for teachers to access and view data. They have templates to use and build from as well to make things much easier. I have not used Nearpod but I understand that it works very similar.
3. Make the Content Relatable
I like to add in various facts or tidbits about things that they are currently interested in. Remember that scene in the original Willy Wonka where the teacher is teaching math and talks about how many chocolate bars each kid has had and how engaged the students were. Do that.
My students are really into Among Us right now. I have used that a couple times to work through genetics problems, to create breakout rooms that kids can choose to work in and to use as even a little check-in to make sure they are still paying attention. They tell me that these are their favorite lessons and have helped them to remember the information.
4. Bring in Some Fun and Personality
What do you normally do to make your class fun and exciting? Do you do theme rooms? Have a class pet? Are you really into Bitmoji? Do you do funny cat videos or coffee chats? I know you are at home or teaching to a screen, but let me tell you, do what you would do to build that excitement.
I just got a class pet, we grew pea plants, I have had pet show and tell and I make ridiculous Bitmoji scenes. The kids love it. Not everything has to be content driven and right now they need this fun, even if it doesn’t fit the curriculum. My own children’s favorite part of their class time is when their teacher lets them have talk time or they get to see their teachers pets. It has also brought me some joy and laughs and I see those kids turning on their cameras more.
5. Use A Virtual Interactive Whiteboard
My students LOVE when I am able to draw out a concept or map something for them in real time. There is a lot of virtual whiteboard options out there. I use Google Meets and our district is a Google centered. Jamboard is Google’s interactive whiteboard that I can share with my students and have them follow along as I instruct.
I actually crowdfunded an iPad and Apple Pencil to use this app more efficiently. I love that I can add in image, draw, annotate and so much more for the kids. When I started using this to instruct, quiz scores and check-in’s for understanding started to go up and I realized that what these kiddos needed was some normal instruction.
6. Join Facebook Groups
Go to Facebook right now and search for your content or grade “distance learning resources” or something similar. There are hundreds of really active groups of teachers banning together to share some amazing content and lessons right now for FREE that you can adapt.
Yes, I know that Teachers Pay Teachers has resources, however, I have found that I can go right into my science teacher group and search or ask for resources and people are quick to share and be helpful. It is a really great feeling to have that community and I strongly advise finding one to help you get through and be innovative.
7. Reliable Internet Service
I learned the hard way that reliable internet was a must. I stayed up one late until about 3 AM working on this series of lessons that I was so excited about. I woke up the next morning to a really laggy connection, which eventually just stopped, leading to a cascade of issues. Eventually we found out that our ISP was not able to meet our needs so we ended up switching to a more reliable provider.
Verizon has a great 5G Home Internet plan that is ultra-fast with the 5G ultra wide network, which was easy to set up by myself & didn’t require us to bundle or have an annual contract. You can also enhance your internet experience with voice control and get an Amazon Smart home bundle and YouTube TV Free for one month when you sign up! Check here to see if Verizon’s 5G home internet is available in your area!
